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Laurentian University Board of Governors Approves Balanced Annual Budget for 2025-26

Laurentian University Board of Governors Approves Balanced Annual Budget for 2025-26

Budget shows caution in the face of disruptive forces within postsecondary education sector

(April 25, 2025) - Laurentian University’s Board of Governors has approved the university’s annual budget for the fiscal year 2025-26, which begins on May 1. The budget focuses on improving the student experience and fostering academic and research excellence, as well as supporting the continued investments towards the 2024-29 Strategic Plan, the implementation of Laurentian University’s Transformation Program, and continued investments to address capital deferred maintenance. 

 

“The budget continues to support the objectives outlined in our Strategic Plan as well as other key institutional priorities, including the implementation of the Transformation Program. Laurentian University continues to be in a stable financial position, with positive growth supporting both our academic and research missions. Despite this, we are not immune to the pressures in the postsecondary sector and the effects of geopolitical instability. The 2025-26 budget reflects a careful and balanced approach, ensuring that we demonstrate the prudence necessary to weather disruptions.” - Vern Cameron, Board Chair, Laurentian University. 

 

When determining operational priorities, the budget development process took into consideration feedback received through the various strategic planning processes, including:

  • community consultation surrounding the development of the institutional Strategic Plan, which was launched in April 2024; 
  • feedback gathered during the development of the Academic Plan and the Strategic Research Plan, which took place throughout 2024. 

 

“The next fiscal year will be a significant one for Laurentian University in a number of historic ways. First, the University continues to make important progress on its obligations under creditor protection. By November 2025, Laurentian University is planning to complete the sales of the designated properties to the Province, another critical step in building the future of our institution. Second, March 2025 marked the beginning of Laurentian University’s 65th anniversary, an important milestone for Ontario’s only university with both a bilingual and tricultural mandate.” - Dr. Lynn Wells, President & Vice-Chancellor.  

 

For 2025-26, Laurentian University is projected to realize revenue over expenses of $1.7 million. This excludes the anticipated one-time accounting gain on sales of properties of $17.6 million, which must be added to the University’s restricted reserves. This represents consolidated revenues of $228.1 million and expenses of $208.8 million.

 

Government changes to international student policy are affecting Laurentian University’s ability to attract students from abroad, which has an impact on revenues. American trade policy also creates risks of additional costs. 

 

As a result, academic units and administrative departments were asked to contract their operating (non-salary) spending from 2024-25 levels as part of the operating budget process. Staffing budgets remained the same, ensuring that no positions were affected by the changes needed for a balanced budget. Since Laurentian still cannot borrow, the University must continue to be prudent in the face of such uncertainty. This budget represents a careful approach that allows the University to continue to pursue its objectives while supporting its financial sustainability.  

 

“We are taking proactive measures to ensure the University’s long-term sustainability and achieve structural balance for the future. Our focus continues to be on strengthening enrolment and on growing other sources of revenue, carefully managing expenses to match our revenue projections, and investing strategically in areas that support student success, as well as academic and research excellence. As a community, Laurentian University has achieved so much and has come so far in the last three years. While the world is facing many challenges, Laurentian University remains in a solid position, and we fully intend to continue building on this progress in the years to come.”- Dr. Lynn Wells, President & Vice-Chancellor.  

 

Laurentian University’s budget book for 2025-26 is available for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2026.

Dr. Malcolm M. Campbell Appointed Provost & Vice-President, Academic

Dr. Malcolm M. Campbell Appointed Provost & Vice-President, Academic

Distinguished global scholar and dedicated senior university administrator joins Laurentian

May 8, 2024 - Laurentian University is proud to announce the appointment of Dr. Malcolm M. Campbell as its new Provost & Vice-President, Academic. Dr. Campbell brings a wealth of experience and a distinguished academic career to his new role, where he will oversee academic affairs and provide leadership in advancing the development of the university's academic plan.

Dr. Campbell joins Laurentian University from the University of Guelph, where he served as Vice-President, Research from 2015-2023. He has also spent time as a tenured faculty member at the University of Oxford, the University of Toronto, and the University of Guelph, where he originally obtained his PhD in Biochemistry. Throughout his career, Dr. Campbell has demonstrated a commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and administration, making him an ideal candidate for this critical leadership position.

"The search committee was thoroughly impressed with Dr. Campbell's credentials and outstanding leadership. His dedication to fostering innovation and academic excellence aligns perfectly with our university's values and strategic goals. We were pleased to be able to find all of these exceptional qualities in a bilingual candidate. We are confident that Dr. Campbell will provide exceptional leadership in advancing our academic offerings and support the success of our students and faculty," said Dr. Lynn Wells, President & Vice-Chancellor of Laurentian University.

“Throughout the search, I knew that our next Provost would need to be an experienced leader who can engage with the Laurentian University community to continue with the important work of healing and recovery, all while positioning the institution for future strength and stability. Fortunately, that’s exactly who we’re getting,” added Dr. Wells.

As Provost & Vice-President, Academic, Dr. Campbell will work closely with the university community to enhance academic programs, promote research and scholarly activities, and foster a culture of inclusivity and innovation.

“It is an honour to have the opportunity to serve as Laurentian University’s next Provost & Vice-President Academic at this critical point in time. Laurentian is creating a powerful approach to navigate the future – one that embraces Indigenous ways of knowing and the unique strengths of Francophone culture – and one that delineates it from other universities. With a remarkable commitment to its tri-cultural, bilingual mandate; a strong history of creating positive regional impacts with global relevance; and a bold new strategic plan, Laurentian University is destined to be a North Star to guide students, staff, and faculty to a brilliant future, I am enthusiastic about working for the Laurentian community to create bright futures for all” said Dr. Campbell.

Laurentian University recognizes and is thankful for the extraordinary contributions of outgoing Interim Provost & Vice-President Academic, Dr. Brenda Brouwer, who served in the role from January of 2023.  Please join us in welcoming Dr. Campbell to Laurentian University as he assumes his new role effective August 1, 2024.

Dr. Lynn Wells appointed 12th President and Vice-Chancellor of Laurentian University

Dr. Lynn Wells appointed 12th President and Vice-Chancellor of Laurentian University

December 5, 2023 - The Laurentian University Board of Governors is pleased to announce that Dr. Lynn Wells has been appointed as the next President and Vice-Chancellor of Laurentian University. In this role, Dr. Wells will provide strategic vision and leadership for all academic, administrative, financial, and service operations, in keeping with the university’s bilingual mandate and tricultural identity. Dr. Wells will begin her role as President and Vice-Chancellor starting on April 1, 2024.

Dr. Wells is an experienced leader in postsecondary education, having held a series of senior positions at universities across Canada over the last 20 years. She began her career at the University of Regina, serving as Acting Dean and Associate Dean Research and Graduate Studies in the Faculty of Arts, and finishing her time there as Associate Vice-President, Academic. Following this, she was appointed Vice-President, Academic at First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv) where she actively supported national reconciliation and worked directly with Indigenous communities, students, and employees. At MacEwan University, she served as the inaugural Associate Vice-President Students and Teaching.

“The selection committee was thoroughly impressed by Dr. Wells’ depth of experience leading in postsecondary education, her dedication to scholarly excellence, and her commitment to Indigenous and Francophone cultures. She demonstrated an integrity and openness that aligned perfectly with what the Laurentian community identified as what we need in a President. Her authentic and strategic leadership style has helped her to realize institutional goals in her past roles by fostering effective communication. We are thrilled to welcome her to Laurentian,” said Vernon Cameron, Chair of the Laurentian University Board of Governors.

Dr. Wells has demonstrated strong resilience in leadership as well. Since 2020, she has been the Provost and Vice-President Academic at Brock University, where for 15 months she served concurrently as Interim President, providing critical executive guidance during the difficult pandemic period.

Dr. Wells received her Ph.D. in English from Western University as well as a Master of Arts in English and Honours Bachelor of Arts in English and French Studies both from York University. As a professor, she has held tenured roles for 20 years at Brock, MacEwan, FNUniv, and the University of Regina. Despite her busy administrative career, she has continued her passion for scholarship, actively teaching and publishing peer-reviewed work and presenting at academic conferences in Canada and England. She is a highly regarded scholar, having authored multiple articles on contemporary British fiction as well two books, the most recent of which is on the prominent writer Ian McEwan, on whom she is an internationally recognized expert.

“I strongly believe in the tricultural identity of Laurentian, and its commitment to offer bilingual education. With a degree in French literature, I am a long-time advocate of francophone education and committed to advancing the University’s bilingual mission. As a descendant of settlers who had the opportunity to learn from First Nations and Métis people through my work at FNUniv, I hold genuine passion for both Francophone and Indigenous cultures that have helped me connect with Laurentian’s unique mission to meet the needs of the people of the North and the communities served by the University. I am honoured to be part of Laurentian’s future,” said Dr. Wells upon her appointment.

Laurentian University would like to extend its gratitude to the search committee, as well as the hundreds of community members who provided feedback throughout the selection process. The University has benefited greatly from the leadership of Interim President Dr. Sheila Embleton, who will continue to serve in the interim role until the arrival of Dr. Wells.